Legal Action by Employment Business

[malvolio]

Considering you think a contractor's time is valueless, best not to get too arrogant.

Bollocks. We get paid for work done. If no work has been done... QED.

They haven't lost money, that's doing their job. Some jobs take 30min to fill, some take weeks. In a service-driven business it's the cost of doing business. You might as well say if I go to an interview and then don't take the work, I've cost them money.
They can't get another contractor in TWO WEEKS? It's not like the guy bailed the night before.

Like I said, if you don't understand the economics...

[ASB]

What does the contract sqy about when notice can be given. Sometimes it is not until the works have commenced.

if this is the case, then the contract has been breached.

[d000hg]

Bollocks. We get paid for work done. If no work has been done... QED.

So if I engage a company and they commit their resources to my project, and turn down other work as a result, and I then cancel, they haven't lost money?

Like I said, if you don't understand the economics...

Speak for yourself. What are you, some sort of agency stooge?

[Contreras]

At a guess I'd say that on average it probably costs a contractor business about the same to secure a new role as it does for an agency business to fill the role.

Time spent updating CV, speaking to agents, interviewing, travel expenses, reviewing contracts, the first role might not be suitable, etc. These are our 'overheads', activity that can't be costed against a particular contract but nonetheless have a cost. Such are the economics of doing business.

[wattaj]

What shall I do?

Ignore them.
As others have said, they're just pissed that they've missed out on their commission; they'd think nothing of doing the same to you. What goes around, comes around...
But, don't be a tit next time; commit to the gig that you've signed up for, and be a bit more professional.
HTHPN.

[mdhd]

Thanks all. Got the advice.

1. Don't be a tit, true. I tried not to be this time, by giving them two weeks notice. But I tried my best and let them know asap.
2. There is no mention of when the notice can be served. So I haven't technically breached the contract.

Now the big question, if I do get a legal notice from them. How to pursue it? I was thinking to take the contract+other docs to Solicitor and get a letter prepared. Anything else I can do? But that's after, and if their legal team, makes contact.

[malvolio]

Thanks all. Got the advice.

1. Don't be a tit, true. I tried not to be this time, by giving them two weeks notice. But I tried my best and let them know asap.
2. There is no mention of when the notice can be served. So I haven't technically breached the contract.

Now the big question, if I do get a legal notice from them. How to pursue it? I was thinking to take the contract+other docs to Solicitor and get a letter prepared. Anything else I can do? But that's after, and if their legal team, makes contact.

They won't; you're being threatened by a minion, not someone who matters. In the unlikely event they do, go talk to a solicitor. Don't waste any time and money until you have to, life's too short.

[TheFaQQer]

Now the big question, if I do get a legal notice from them. How to pursue it? I was thinking to take the contract+other docs to Solicitor and get a letter prepared. Anything else I can do? But that's after, and if their legal team, makes contact.

If it gets that far, then speak to a professional. But it won't get that far unless their legal team is incompetent (assuming you terminated the contract correctly).

[TheDandy]

Unless you have overlooked any cheeky indemnity clauses then I'd be surprised if you hear anything. As has been said, it's probably a minion who is kicking off because he will have missed out on targets and commissions, and is probably going to get a kicking from his manager for not predicting you were a risk and a potential tit.

[mdhd]

Well. I read the contract twice, and got it read by somebody else (although I can consider her response to be biased). And it clearly says that I have to pay for damages if I breach the contract. Which I haven't. So sitting tight. Received that email about sending to legal team from Managing Director of the employment business. Not a minion I think.